We've just returned from a wonderful cruise of the Western Caribbean aboard the Carnival "Ecstasy".
We decided to go on this five day cruise because it was all the time we could be away from our business. So we flew down to Houston, Texas. We also decided to fly in one day before our cruise departure.
We had a transfer service pick up at the full service Holiday Inn which was near Bush airport in Houston and drive us to Galveston. It takes an hour and hour to drive to Galveston from near the big airport. We boarded the "Ecstasy" at 1 pm, had no problems with the check-in. We all had lunch at the ship's great buffet that was ready went boarded. An hour and half later we were in our cabins for a bit of unpacking. We had planned on being on the balcony of our cabin when the ship left the port, put that didn't happen. A large thunder-storm settled over Galveston and drop a great deal on rain. So we took a nap, so we could be rested for a late dinner and dancing and exploring the ship.